Vigilance Awareness Week Commences at IUST: Faculty Members and Staff take Pledge of Transparency and Integrity

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Awantipora:  With a pledge-taking ceremony by officers and staff, the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week (2022) commenced at Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) held jointly in collaboration with Anti-Corruption Bureau, South Kashmir. This year, for Vigilance Awareness Week, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has given the theme of “Corruption Free India for a developed nation” today.

A special function was organized in which Honourable Vice Chancellor IUST Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo was the Chief Guest and Rakesh Kumar (JKPS) Senior Superintendent of Police ACB South Kashmir was the Guest of Honour. Farooq Ahmed Special Prosecuting Officer ACB along with Senior Superintendent of Police Awantipora, Mohammad Yousuf (JKPS) also graced the event with their presence.

Mubashir Nazir, Departmental Vigilance Officer, and Assistant Registrar, IUST conducted the proceeding for the event. Kick-starting the event, Nazir mentioned, “The aim of this event is to create awareness about various forms of corruption prevalent in the society and suggest measures to thwart the growth of this plague which has reached epidemic proportions.”

Prof. Naseer Iqbal, Registrar IUST delivered the welcome address wherein he thanked all the dignitaries for their presence while reiterating the need to fight corruption and making India a corruption-free nation.

Farooq Ahmed SPO ACB SK, talked about the mechanisms for filing a complaint and the enquiry process which ensues due diligence at ACB. He concluded his talk by advising the public servants to stay away from corrupt practices and requested the youth to come forward for nation building processes.

Speaking about the role and importance of educational institutes in fighting corruption, Shri Mohammad Yousuf, SSP Awanitipora mentioned, “We need to educate our kids with moral and ethical practices right from our homes.”

The Guest of Honour for the event Rakesh Kumar, SSP ACB South Kashmir in his talk thanked the HVC and the Registrar of IUST for observing the Vigilance week and credited the University for initiating such program. Highlighting the importance of such events, Kumar delivered an in-depth presentation on the theme and talked about various technological savvy initiatives like the mobile application ‘Satark Nagrik’ and using social media like Twitter and Facebook that the ACB has adopted for facilitating citizens for the fight against corruption.

Citing, in-efficiency in doing work also as corruption, HVC in his address discussed the importance of understanding various forms of corruption and the need to fight it. Calling upon the ACB, Prof. Romshoo said, “We need a larger outreach with students for our fight in corruption as they are our future.” He further, mentioned the initiative for starting the University Vigilance club for fostering conscious vigilantism amongst the youth. Mudasir Ahmad Mir, Assistant Registrar Establishment IUST concluded the session by presenting the Vote of Thanks. It is pertinent to mention that Vigilance Awareness Week is celebrated every year and coincides with the birth week of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known to be a man of high integrity.